Council Tax Benefit with Zero income?

vonsworld

Hello

I was until recently a full time carer for my Mum who has now passed away.

I'd like to take 3 months off to get my life back together, and during this time will be living off my saving which are under £6000.

I don't want to make a claim for Job Seekers Allowance because I won't be looking for a job during those 3 months and don't want to be hounded by them.

I live in my own property and so my question is can I claim Council Tax Benefit to cover all or some of the council tax since I will have zero income?

Or, do you have to be claiming some kind of benefit, like JSA or income support, to be entitled to a reduction in council tax?

Thanks for your advice

John

Alice_Holt

You should be able to claim.

You will need to complete a "Nil Income Form" from your local council office.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction
"You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits"

And (as an example) : https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/176998/nil-income-form.pdf

CIS

vonsworld wrote: »

Hello

I was until recently a full time carer for my Mum who has now passed away.

I'd like to take 3 months off to get my life back together, and during this time will be living off my saving which are under £6000.

I don't want to make a claim for Job Seekers Allowance because I won't be looking for a job during those 3 months and don't want to be hounded by them.

I live in my own property and so my question is can I claim Council Tax Benefit to cover all or some of the council tax since I will have zero income?

Or, do you have to be claiming some kind of benefit, like JSA or income support, to be entitled to a reduction in council tax?

Thanks for your advice

John

It's unlikely you'd get full Council Tax Support paid but it depends on each local authority's scheme how they handle it.

You can also claim a S13A discretionary relief to help with any residual council tax charge.

Craig

pmlindyloo

Just a 'heads up', your eligibility for council tax not only depends on your income and savings but also any other capital/assets e.g. second property.

Were you receiving Carer's Allowance and Income Support? Did you get the 8 week 'run on' when your mum died?

vonsworld

Thanks for your helpful replies.

I live alone in my Mum's house which has been left to me and I have no other properties.

You are correct, I am receiving Carer's Allowance and Income Support at the moment which is in the 8 week run on period. I am just considering what to do next when that ends.

I looked after my Mum full time for several years before her passing and would just like to take some further time off before going back to work. I am happy to pay for this out of my savings and not make a claim for JSA, but wanted to know where I stand with council tax benefit?

Thanks John

pmlindyloo

As already advised you can claim council tax reduction based on nil income.

But, and this is just my experience in my area, it may not be that straightforward.

My experience is that the council are strangely suspicious of people claiming when they are actually eligible for benefits like JSA/ESA. They appear to assume that the claimant is receiving money from somewhere and if they are not claiming benefits that they are entitled to then something 'fishy' is going on.

Just my experience.

I can fully understand that you need some 'space' and time to think of your future. If you are feeling physically/mentally drained then you could claim JSA, go to the first interview and then produce a doctor's fit note and have a period of extended sickness (maximum 13 weeks). During this time you would not have to adhere to any work related activities. Or you could claim ESA with a fit note. Would your doctor be supportive?

Since you are currently on Income Support I think you can just 'transfer' over to those benefits but am unsure whether, in your area, you may have to claim Universal Credit. Perhaps you can enquire about this from the Job Centre?

it would be much simpler to claim CT this way.

But, just my opinion...........

vonsworld

Thanks, that's very helpful, I am sure my doctor would be supportive.

Do you know if the doctor's fit note would cover the whole 13 week extended period, or would I have to go back for another note from time to time?

I am sure 13 weeks would be enough time for me to get my head straight and sort out my future.

theronstar

Universal Credit is the benefit for single people. JSA is a legacy benefit and any new claim for JSA would be bounced across to UC.

Your doctor's fit note will be as long as you ask for it to be. Though I have not seen a single sick note run on indefinitely because there is the presumption that your doctor is monitoring your condition and will issue an updated sick note accordingly.

The OP can apply for ESA but I am doubtful she should go to this hassle. This benefit requires that she undergoes a work capability assessment. From what OP has said, she is not declaring herself long term sick but rather experiencing bereavement thus I would say that UC is better.

Murphybear

pmlindyloo wrote: »

As already advised you can claim council tax reduction based on nil income.

But, and this is just my experience in my area, it may not be that straightforward.

My experience is that the council are strangely suspicious of people claiming when they are actually eligible for benefits like JSA/ESA. They appear to assume that the claimant is receiving money from somewhere and if they are not claiming benefits that they are entitled to then something 'fishy' is going on.

Just my experience.

I can fully understand that you need some 'space' and time to think of your future. If you are feeling physically/mentally drained then you could claim JSA, go to the first interview and then produce a doctor's fit note and have a period of extended sickness (maximum 13 weeks). During this time you would not have to adhere to any work related activities. Or you could claim ESA with a fit note. Would your doctor be supportive?

Since you are currently on Income Support I think you can just 'transfer' over to those benefits but am unsure whether, in your area, you may have to claim Universal Credit. Perhaps you can enquire about this from the Job Centre?

it would be much simpler to claim CT this way.

But, just my opinion...........

As others have said it depends on the council. I was awaiting an ESA claim 5 years ago and due to a DWP hiccup (that's being polite) I was left with little income for weeks on end. Our council were very helpful and I got full council tax support while waiting

kmb500

vonsworld wrote: »

I live in my own property and so my question is can I claim Council Tax Benefit to cover all or some of the council tax since I will have zero income?

Or, do you have to be claiming some kind of benefit, like JSA or income support, to be entitled to a reduction in council tax?

I work in a council and help with council tax support.


Yes, it is possible to claim without being on other benefits. I would look on the website for your local council, and try and find a calculator - we have a calculator on our site and you go through the form, put in all your information, and it will tell you exactly what you would be entitled to. Takes 5 minutes and then if it says you're eligible, then you know you can apply for the benefit. I assume other councils have the same functions on their websites.


If you can't find it on the website, might be worth giving the council a call.